Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1887-05-05
RISHOPA.IY. WTLSON.
A Social Reception by Southern I-tho-
diSfs and Speeches.


A Social Reception or southern = tHO-
dists and Speeches.
Reported for the Baltimore san, Apra 27h.
A reception was rendered to Bish"P A.
w. Wilson, of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, by the pastor and official
members of Trinity Church, in the base
ment of the church Tuesday night. BY in
yitation, the pastors and members, with
their families, Of Ill the other churches of
that denomir. al in Baltimore, with
friends from otter churches, participated.
The large room was crowded, making it the
largest social reunion ever held in the
church The room was tastefully dressed
with flowers and pOtted plants, banners,
richly-colored japanese fans and other or
naments. Over the platform were the
words, in gilt letters, Welcome Home"
Two japanese students were present. The
singing was led by Mr.. f. B. Magruder,
with Mrs. Blanche Mas at the organ, and
Miss Mas, cornetist. DR.. Rodgers made
an opening prayer, and greeting hymn
was sung. Rev. w. ii. d. Harper, pastor
of the church, said it was fitting that the
welcome home to their resident bishop
should be given in Trinity Church, of
which Bishop Wilson was the first pastor.
His thousands of friends were rejoiced to
see him return refreshed and strong. We
have met to greet him as representative OF
onr common Methodsm in Baltimore, act
ing as one church, feeling that the interest
of one is the interest of all our churches.
Bishop Wilson said speech on social
occasion is at war with its spirit, for formal
methods of address are not conducive to
hilarity at least He accepted the occasion
as an evidence of interest in his work. He
had come back with mind and heart laden
with missionary concern. 1t was no new
born zeal, but dated back many years. He
mad not had time to settle down to his nor
NAL tone of work. The kaleidoscope pan
Drama through which he has passed had
not shaped itself in his mind. He had
seen and felt too much to speak hastily
He wanted at the right time to speak in
tones that will leave sharply-cut impress
sious. The special object of his trip was to
aid in bringing the world under the Lord
Jesus Christ. The advance has been COM
paratively good. 1t is radically false to say
Christianity has been outstripped by heath
enism. 4 learned heather admitted that
all of good India had came from Christian
ity. But the work to be done is appalling
! The masses of heathenism are very com
pact and their forces tremendous. Civil
cation, apart from Christianity, has brought
no benefit to any land it has touched, but
many curse. Christianity is the only
power relied on to do away the evil effect:
of merely civilized men and powers. The
line between them is as marked as that be-
tween sainthood and vice. We can't de-
pend on the mere presence of civilized men
to plant Christianity in heather lands
They 20 there to lake money, and saloon
keepers will do as much for Christianity as
they do. But my faith in the church OF
God as the light of the world Is more vigo'
rous than ever If we do not oyerrun and
conquer heathendom, it will oyerrun and
conquer us 1t has already flooded oul
Western shores with its iniquities and cor
ruptious. Liberalism has gone ont so wide
| " through our papers and magazines that
they say Hindooism and Coufuciusism will
do if only you are honest in belief know
whereof speak Your Christianity is in
danger of overthrow and your children may
become as rotten and corrupt as the chill
dren of heathens. But my hope in the
church is strong, and our church will do
her part. Refreshments were served by the
Young Ladies and Young Mems League,
and pleasant social time followed